Saab becomes supplier on Airbus A321 cabin flex programme

Saab has signed a contract with Airbus to design, develop and manufacture the door plug 3 and cover plate of the Airbus A321 as part of the OEM’s cabin flex programme (ACF).This is Saab’s first design-to-build programme within the Airbus doors community. The fixed door structure ‘plug door 3’ option is a dedicated structure that, together with an alternative escape door, provides the opportunity to optimise the aircraft cabin utilisation all the way from a 3-class configuration to a high density one-class configuration.Saab is responsible for the design, development, stress analysis and manufacture of the Door Plug 3 and cover plate, as well as the development and procurement of production tools. Most of the development will be completed by the Saab/Mahindra JV Saab India Tech Centre (SITC) in Hyderabad, with the assembly at the Saab/Aequs JV Aerostructures Assemblies India in Belgaum.“This contract marks a break-through on yet another Airbus platform, confirming our expertise and competitiveness as a global actor in the commercial aviation market and as an important and long-term partner to Airbus. It also places our Indian network on the Airbus map,” commented Lars Jensen, head of aerostructures at Saab.In addition to the door plug 3 for the A321 ACF, Saab provides Airbus with flap support structures and fairings for the A350-1000, the mid and outer wing leading-edge for the Airbus A380 plus ailerons and doors for other Airbus and Boeing aircraft.